Tennessee Workforce Development Grants

The purpose of the grant is to provide academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level. Services include Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, English as a Second Language and Corrections Education. Adult Education, as part of the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides services to adults to build the knowledge and skills necessary for high school equivalency (HiSET), employment, post-secondary opportunities, and economic self-sustainability.

The Downtown Johnson City Facade Improvement Grant Program, administered by the Johnson City Development Authority (JCDA) and supported through the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program, aims to revitalize the Downtown Johnson City Redevelopment District, with a particular focus on the Historic Overlay District. The core mission of this program aligns with increasing the economic viability, improving aesthetics, and enhancing property values within this crucial area. By providing financial incentives for facade improvements, the JCDA seeks to prevent urban blight and create a more attractive environment for both businesses and residents, directly supporting community development and economic growth initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are conforming commercial and mixed-use properties located within the Historic Overlay District. The impact goals extend beyond individual property improvements, aiming for a broader community uplift. Key objectives include enhancing the marketability of commercial spaces, attracting new businesses and residents, and ultimately stimulating economic activity through increased job creation and sales tax generation in the downtown area. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate substantial economic impact, thereby supporting the strategic goal of fostering a vibrant and economically robust downtown. The program focuses on a range of eligible activities designed to preserve and enhance the architectural integrity and visual appeal of buildings. These include masonry repairs, storefront reconstruction, removal of false facades, cornice repair, exterior painting, awnings, window and door repair/replacement, permanent exterior lighting, and signage integrated into design, among others. Eligibility criteria require applicants to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City’s Historic Zoning Commission or preapproval from the City’s Planning Division, ensuring that renovations align with historic preservation standards and zoning requirements. Proposed renovations must also be approved by the JCDA before commencement. Expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the physical appearance of downtown buildings, leading to increased property values and a more inviting urban landscape. Measurable results will include the number of improved facades, the amount of private investment leveraged by the grants, and, importantly, the economic impact in terms of new businesses, job creation, and sales tax revenue within the Redevelopment District. The JCDA's theory of change posits that by directly investing in the physical infrastructure of downtown properties, a ripple effect will occur, stimulating broader economic development and enhancing the overall quality of life in Johnson City. The program's flexible funding model, offering up to $10,000 for single-faced buildings and an additional $5,000 for multiple street-facing facades, with potential for larger grants for projects with substantial economic impact, underscores its strategic priority of maximizing community benefit.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit arts organizations, schools, and higher education institutions in Tennessee to conduct immersive professional development workshops focused on arts education and integration.

The 2024 States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), announced by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), seeks applications for grants to target federal resources toward communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. With a focus on economically distressed counties and parishes, SEDAP aims to invest in community-based and regional projects across four congressionally mandated funding categories: basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The program is designed to encourage job creation, regional collaboration, and funding partnerships, leveraging a total of $16,930,642, allocated across the eight-state DRA region with awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 depending on project type and application score.

This program provides funding for out-of-school arts initiatives that help underserved youth develop essential skills for success in education and careers through artistic engagement.

This program provides funding to rural communities in Tennessee for building or improving arts and cultural facilities to boost local economies and enhance quality of life through arts programming.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tennessee local governments for improving and certifying industrial sites to boost economic development and job creation in their communities.

This grant provides funding to under-resourced communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions to develop strategic plans that address local economic development challenges.

This funding opportunity supports Tennessee-based nonprofit organizations and local government entities in creating community-focused arts projects that enhance access to the arts and improve quality of life.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Appalachian region for projects that promote economic diversification and workforce development in communities impacted by coal industry job losses.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that offer hands-on STEAM training and paid summer internships for teens aged 16-19 from low-income areas, in partnership with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers.

This initiative provides training and funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region to strengthen their operations and better serve their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to healthcare organizations in Tennessee to establish a center that will improve rural health access and outcomes through innovative service delivery and technical assistance.

This grant provides funding and support for individuals and organizations in Tennessee to develop and implement innovative education-to-career programs that connect students with high-wage, high-demand job opportunities through collaboration with industry partners.

This funding opportunity supports projects in the Appalachian region that help individuals recovering from substance use disorders gain access to job training and employment services, fostering sustainable recovery and economic independence.

This program provides financial support and resources to small businesses in select U.S. cities that are committed to strengthening their communities and fostering economic growth.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in communities served by Union Pacific to support projects that enhance community safety, workforce development, and overall community vitality.